Apple Recycler Guide

About this guide

Apple's goal is to one day make products using only recycled or renewable materials. A key path to reaching that goal is to improve resource recovery from end-of-use electronics.

Apple Recycler Guides provide guidance for electronics recyclers on how to disassemble Apple products to maximize recovery of resources. The guides provide step-by-step disassembly instructions and information on the product's material composition to help recyclers direct fractions to the appropriate material recycler.

Disassembly procedures are intended to be performed only by trained electronics recycling professionals. The recycler is responsible for independently evaluating and ensuring compliance with all applicable environmental, health, and safety laws related to the work. These include, but are not limited to, laws relating to the management, handling, shipping, and disposal of the outputs of this work as waste, and laws to ensure the health and safety of all employees who support this work.

For questions or feedback about this guide, email contactesci@apple.com.

Product Identification

For more information about identifying your iPhone, please visit the following support pages:

support.apple.com/en-us/108044

Directive 2012/19/EU Annex VII Components

Directive 2012/19/EU Annex VII requirements apply to the following substances and components:

Note: For indication of the location of materials and components requiring selective treatment, refer to the image in the product components section on page 8 of this document. Location of additional items: the USB-C charge cable attaches to the bottom edge of the device where the ports are located, and the other end of the power cable attaches to the power adapter.

Safety Considerations

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• ? Wear hand protection
• ? Wear eye protection
• ? Wear protective clothing
• ? Wear foot protection
• ? Wear a mask

The recycler is responsible for independently evaluating all activities undertaken by its employees to perform or support the work and ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety laws related to the work. These include but are not limited to laws relating to the health and safety of all employees who perform or support this work. The recycler is also responsible for evaluating the workspace and ensuring that the area in which the work is to be undertaken is designed using ergonomic best practices and meets all ergonomic requirements to ensure the protection of its employees.

Broken OLEDs must be handled properly to ensure the safety of your employees and mitigate any hazards. Package broken OLEDs in an appropriate container to properly manage the hazards associated with the materials and store only with compatible materials. All waste must be properly classified, packaged, and labeled in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Battery safety

This product uses a lithium-ion polymer battery. Follow these steps for safe removal and disposal of the battery:

• If possible, discharge the battery to less than 25 percent before beginning any disassembly. Thermal runaway is less likely to occur in a discharged battery.
• Remove anything from your person that could conduct energy, such as jewelry and watches, to avoid electric shock to yourself.
• To avoid the potential for thermal runaway and the release of potentially noxious fumes, don't puncture, strike, or crush lithium-ion polymer batteries or devices powered by them.
• Don't throw, drop, or bend the battery.
• Don't expose the battery to excessive heat or sunlight.
• Use only tools that are not sharp and do not conduct electricity.
• Keep your workspace clear of foreign objects and sharp materials.
• Dispose of batteries according to local environmental laws and guidelines.

Workspace safety guidelines

• Use heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses.
• Keep a sand dispenser within arm's reach (2 feet or 0.6 m) on either side of the workstation, not above the workstation. The dispenser should be a wide-mouthed, quick-pour metal container with a flip-top lid or tray that contains 8-10 cups (1.9-2.4 L) of clean, dry, untreated sand.
• Keep the battery at least 2 feet (0.6 m) from paper and other combustible materials.
• Work in an area with adequate ventilation.

Handling a thermal runaway

If you notice any of the following signs, a thermal runaway is likely underway, and you should act immediately:

• The lithium-ion polymer battery, or a device containing one, begins to smoke or emit sparks or soot.
• The battery pouch suddenly and quickly puffs out.
• You hear hissing or popping sounds.

Don't use water or an ABC/CO2 fire extinguisher on a thermal runaway battery, or a device containing one. Water and ABC/CO2 fire extinguishers will not stop the reaction.

Do smother the battery or device immediately with plenty of clean, dry sand, dumped all at once. Timing is critical; the faster you pour all the sand, the faster the thermal runaway will stop.

Do leave the room for 30 minutes if the thermal runaway causes any irritation.

Do wait 30 minutes before touching the battery. Wear heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses to remove the battery from the sand, or use a non-contact thermometer to measure the battery temperature. Do not touch battery until you have confirmed it is safe to do so.

Do dispose of the damaged battery or device (including any debris removed from the sand) according to local environmental laws and guidelines.

Hazard Warnings

• ☣️ Chemical inhalation hazard
• ⚠️ Broken glass hazard
• ? Rechargeable battery hazard

Disassembly instructions

Recommended tools

• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Miniature plastic pry bar
• Nail-Pulling screwdriver

Directions

1. Remove the USB-C charge cable.
2. With the Back Cover assembly facing up, insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the USB-C connector and push the handle down while holding the iPhone until the bottom of the frame breaks away from the housing along with the Taptic Engine.
3. Remove the Back Cover assembly by hand.
4. Lift the bottom of the OLED display to separate from the enclosure.
5. Using the miniature plastic pry bar, remove the lithium-ion battery from the enclosure.
6. Using the nail-pulling screwdriver, pry off the main logic board.

Note: All outputs from this process must be managed, handled, and disposed of in accordance with applicable waste laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Waste Framework Directive and its national enactments in Europe.

Product components and location broken apart

This section describes the exploded view of the iPhone Air components, illustrating their relative positions and how they are assembled or disassembled. Key components and their locations are labeled:

• The outer casing consists of the Back Cover assembly (Step 3), attached via Back Cover to Housing Adhesive.
• Inside, the Dock Cowling (also referred to as Battery Cowling) houses the Battery (Step 5).
• Other internal components include the B2B Chin, Taptic Engine, Taptic Engine/Mic1 Cowling, Mic1, Dock Flex, and SuperVent.
• The Main logic board (Step 6) is a central component.
• The Housing forms the main structure.
• The Display Cowling covers the OLED Display (Step 4).
• External elements include the Loft Cowling (Front Camera), Front Camera / Face ID module, Back Cover Cowling, Rear Camera, Receiver Grill, and Top Speaker.
• Adhesives like Frame to Housing Adhesive are also indicated.

Additional resources

Apple Trade-In and Recycling

Find Apple Trade-In and recycling options here.

Additional resources

Find disposal and recycling information for iPhone here.